Paris Saint Germain Forward Lionel Messi Expected to Win FIFA the Best Award

• Lionel Messi has reportedly beaten Kylian Mbappe and Karim Benzema to win the 2022 FIFA the Best Award
• The 35-year-old crowned an exceptional 2022 by winning the FIFA World Cup with Argentina
• Messi scored an impressive 35 goals and has 30 assists in 51 games for both club and country

Paris Saint-Germain superstar Lionel Messi is the front-runner to win FIFA The Best award for 2022, according to reports.

The 35-year-old steered La Albiceste to defeat France in the World Cup final via penalties, scoring two goals in regular time.

The Argentine magician contributed with seven goals and three assists, starring in the tournament as he scooped the Golden Boot award.

Messi, who has won the prize once before, captained Argentina to victory in Qatar, a career-defining triumph that has boosted his chances of making him favourite for this prize.

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He will compete with PSG teammate Kylian Mbappe and Real Madrid talisman Karim Benzema for the gong.

As claimed by Spanish Publication Relevo, noted by Euro Foot, Messi will be crowned the winner of the 2022 FIFA the Best award.

The last time the Barcelona legend won the award was in 2019. It was his first such award since the new format was introduced in 2016.

FIFA the Best format

The gala ceremony is scheduled for Monday, 27th February, in Paris, France.

A public vote, which decided the three finalists in each category, was open until February 3.

The winner is then voted for by a jury made up of national team coaches and captains as well as journalists and fans.

Messi named IFFHS best player

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Messi has been named the 'World's Best Player' for 2022 by the International Federation of Football History and Statistics (IFFHS).

He beat competition from PSG teammate Mbappe, whom Messi beat to the World Cup trophy, and current Ballon d'Or holder Karim Benzema to win the accolade.

Aside from edging the aforementioned names for the accolade, Messi was also named winner of the IFFHS' award for 'World's Best International Goal Scorer 2022'.

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Lionel Messi got the final piece of his illustrious career when he led Argentina to win the Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup last December, beating former champions France on penalties in the final, Sports Brief reported earlier.

Messi enjoyed the support of influential team members, including the best young player Enzo Fernandez and goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez who was awarded the tournament's best player.

The trio of Lionel Messi, head coach Lionel Scaloni and Martinez are nominated in different categories of the FIFA Best Awards, as reported by ESPN.